Rotharia

The Rotharian Imperium (Rotharian: Ae Imperia Rotharii) is a massive nation stretching across the south-eastern edge of the Halasian Continent. Rotharia stands as the most powerful singular entity in the known world, unrivaled in Military, and Economic might. The Environment of Rotharia is harsh, the majority of its land mass being comprised almost entirely of Deserts. The majority of the nations population live either along the coast, within the Rotharian Sea Basin, or on the shores of Lake Nala.

Rotharia is ruled by an Imperator, who holds absolute power over the empire. The government of Rotharia is ruled centrally from the capital of Savoca, where the Imperial Palace, Parliament, and Savoca Military Academy are located. Along side the Imperator is the Patriarch, leader of the Rotharian 'New Orthodox' faith, and the Aerich, commander of all Rotharian Military forces.

When the Imperator dies the Imperial Council is called together in Savoca, with the goal of voting on whom from the major Houses shall become the new Imperator.

The Imperator
The Rotharian Imperator (Of which there have been 35) is the absolute ruler of the Imperium. The Imperator holds the right to declare war (Though with the requirement of a stamp of approval from the Senate), declare new laws, appoint numerous government Bureaucrats, and officials, and may lead the nation in religious ceremony under the banner of the Imperial Cult. The Imperator is elected by an Imperial Council of Senators, and leaders of the nation, who convene upon the death of the sitting Imperator.

The sitting Imperator is 'Liran Ais Gaeiia IV', birth name 'Decanius Ai Karsa', third Imperator of the Gaeiian line, first of the Karsa family. The reign of Liran Gaeiia has been a difficult one, with the Senate devolving into virtual civilwar between the Conservative, and Reform factions. Further, religious animosity between the Imperial Cult, which dominates the Urban regions of Rotharia, and the new Latiian Sect, have pushed the Empire into a period of civil unrest.

Imperator Liran has attempted to assuage these concerns by shifting the focus of the nation towards Military Conquest, hoping that the distraction of war, and military fervor will provide enough of a distraction that the building instability will have time to settle down.

Election of the Imperator
When the Imperator dies, the Imperial Council convenes in Savoca to elect who will succeed the former Imperator. The Council includes the Rotharian Senate, each of the Great Houses of Rotharia, the Patriarch, and the Aerich. Ultimately, however, only the Parliament votes. Each House submits a candidate for the title of Imperator, which the Patriarch and Aerich must first approve. Should the candidates be approved, their candidacy is forwarded to the Senate, who the hold a vote. If a majority of votes is not received, the lowest scoring candidate is removed, and the vote resumes until a final victor is declared.

The Senate
The Senate of Rotharia is the single oldest institution in the Imperium, dating back to the founding of the Rotharian Kingdom. Senators must come from one of the 6 Major Houses, must have either served in the Military, or worked as a Government Official, and must be over the age of 30, with rare exceptions. Senator is generally considered the highest title a Rotharian Noble can attain, beyond that of Imperator. Generally the Aerich and Patriarch sit on the senate, thus granting them the title 'Senator' along with their higher rank.

Being appointed to the Senate brings with it much clout, wealth, and power. Senators typically take a salary of 500 Akre a year, enough to purchase a house in Savoca, and live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Senatorial seats are lifelong appointments, and it is generally unheard of for a Senator to step down from his seat, no matter how fierce any scandals involving them are.

The most important individual in each coalition is referred to by the title 'Senatus Aeran', or just 'Aeran' in short. The Aeran of each faction is considered to be its de facto leader, and is given higher rank in the speaking order than any rank Senator.

Conservatives
The Conservative faction is lead by the 'Factio Optimates', a collection of Social conservatives who seek to maintain the delicate balance of power between the Senate and Imperator. Members of the Factio Optimates generally comes from wealthy Imperiian and Domiinan families, and tend to vote for Imperators from such families. For the last 60 years, the Optimates have been the dominant faction on the Rotharian Senate.

Imperialists
The Imperialist faction is lead by the 'Factio Imperia', a coalition of Imperiian Senators who seek to collect all the powers of the Imperium centrally, under the Imperator. Historically, the Factio Imperia have been the longest standing faction of Rotharian Politics, tracing their origins all the way back to the Rotharian Civil-War. In the modern era, the Imperialists are considered fierce rivals with the far larger Conservative bloc, led by the 'Factio Optimates', and the up and coming Reform Faction, lead by the newly formed radicals in the 'Factio Auros'.

Patriarchate
The Patriarchate is the second oldest faction in the Senate. Led by a dual coalition between the 'Factio Sola', and 'Factio Soma', the Patriarchate represents the more fiercely religious elements of the populace. The Patriarchate seek to expand the role of both Religion, and the Patriarch in modern Rotharian society. In recent years there have been serious feuds breaking out between the 'Factio Soma' and 'Factio Sola' over various religious issues, such as the Supremacy of the Patriarch, the specific role of the Imperator in religion, and the role the Senate should play in Rotharia. Ultimately, these feuds have led to many of the more radical members of the Patriarchate defecting to either the Reform faction, or the Imperialist faction.

Reformers
The Reform faction is the newest member of the Rotharian Senate, having formed out of the Pro-Lattian 'Factio Lattum', who seek to establish the city of Lattum as the new Capital of the Imperium, and former members of the Patriarchate who hold loyalties to the Latiian Sect. These defectors created a new faction, the 'Factio Corrigo', who are focused on religious reform. The initial surge of defections from the Patriarchate faction led to a period of instability in the Senate where the Optimates, and Imperialists formed a joint coalition to prevent the heavily Latiian Reform Faction from appointing new Senators, particularly when Aeran Auran Ai Auros retired from the Senate upon his accession to the title of Patriarch. The Optimates-Imperialist Coalition suspended voting on the appointment of Auran Auros' replacement, citing the extreme irregularity of a sitting Senator resigning when receiving higher title.

The Vacancy held for nearly five years, until the newly appointed Aerich, Aeris Ai Auris, grandson of the now Patriarch Auran Auros, marched upon the Senate, claiming his right as Aerich to sit within the Senate as an equal. Initially the Optimates-Imperialist faction were infuriated by the presence of soldiers within the Senate hall, but were ultimately pressured into voting on the accession of Aeris Auris to the Senate. The vote passed 157-93, with the Militarists breaking for Aeris. With the support of the Militarists, and Reform faction, Aeris led the creation of the new 'Factio Auros', a radical reform faction which has yet to show their cards.

Militarists
The Militarist faction is a relatively new addition to the Senate, though still holding nearly a century of seniority over the Reform faction. Lead by the 'Factio Bellatorious', the Militarist faction holds a fierce loyalty to the Aerich, commander of the Rotharian Military. The Militarists push an agenda of Military Expansion, and heavily favor the establishment of new Rotharian Client states, similar to those in Nara, and Veras. The Militarists also favor increasing the power of the Aerich, and reducing the influence of the Patriarch, who they see as hindering the growth of the Rotharian State. Presently the Militarists sit somewhere between the Conservative 'Optimates', and Reformist 'Factio Lattum', though recent events have swayed many members, who have defected to the upcoming 'Factio Auros'.

Great Houses
Rotharian society is highly hierarchical, and while social mobility isn't unheard of, it is impossible for any regular citizen to reach the pinnacle of Rotharian society without either possessing, or marrying the blood of one of the 6 Great Houses of Rotharian Society. Each house hails from a different region of Rotharia, and each have their own unique traits.

Physical Description
Imerpiians stand at slightly above average height, with white skin, and a slim build. Imperiians generally have brown hair, darker eye colors, most commonly brown, but rarely hazel, and little facial hair.

Standing
The Imperiia are generally considered to be the most powerful, and respected family in Rotharia, their authority over the Imperium only challenged by the Latiians in some areas. True to their name, the Imperiians have made the largest share of Imperators, and second largest share of Patriarchs.

Homeland
The Imperiia line, being one of the three founding Houses, traces its origins back to the southern valley of the Rotharian Sea Basin, alongside the Latiians.

Sub-Families

 * Augustus
 * Constinius
 * Novian
 * Valenius
 * Lucius

Physical Description
Domiinans generally are tall, with dark olive, or black skin, with muscular builds being most common. Domiinans generally have dark hair, and dark eyes. Domiinan hair is usually cut short, but this is a cultural element, and not related to how long their hair can grow.

Standing
The Domiina stand as either the second or third most influential faction, depending on where you consider the status of the Latiian faction. The Domiinans have represented the second largest share of Imperators, but only the fourth largest share of Patriarchs. Domiinans have historically found their strength in the Military, having not only the largest share of Aerichs, but in fact a majority of the total.

Homeland
The Domiina, being one of the three founding Houses, traces its origins to the Lake Nala region, in the far south of Rotharia

Sub-Families

 * Janus
 * Antius
 * Arrius
 * Axian
 * Caelius
 * Kaedus
 * Cassius

Physical Description
Latiians are generally of below average height, and have white, tanned, or olive skin, and a slim build. Their hair is typically lighter, being light browns, or rarely red. Latiians are famous for their eyes, which due to a rare disorder, appear purple.

Standing
The Latiian people are a bit of an enigma in Rotharian society, no one is able to precisely place the Latiians in Rotharian Society. It is known that they are an important people, but no one has been able to truly determine where their power lies. Latiians have made the largest share of Patriarchs, and have held the title of Aerich twice -- But no Latiian has ever had the right to bear the particle 'Ais', as no Latiian has ever been declared Imperator.

Homeland
The Latiia, being one of the three founding houses, taces its origins to the Northern Valley of the Rotharian Sea basin, opposite the Imperiians.

Sub-Families

 * Auros
 * Halen
 * Mira
 * Valena

Physical Description
Gaeiians are generally below average height, and have pale white, or tanned skin, and have a wide variety of builds. Their hair is typically light, trending more towards light brown, and their eyes generally are blue or green.

Standing
The Gaeiia are an up and coming House, having recently seized the title of Imperator for the third time in their history. The Gaeiia hold the third largest share of Imperatorships, being one of the only 3 houses to ever win the title. The Gaeiia have made the third largest share of Patriarchs, and third largest share of Aerich, behind the Imperiian people in both categories.

Homeland
The Gaeiia were the first House outside of the core three to join the halls of Rotharian Nobility. Hailing from the Central and Eastern Coasts, the Gaeiian homeland stretches from the City of Karsana in the west, to the Fortress City of Triken in the North-East.

Sub-Families

 * Junica
 * Karsa
 * Oikona
 * Zerva
 * Nakosa

Physical Description
The Raiia are average height, have olive, or tan skin, and generally have average builds. They are frequently considered a baseline average for what is 'Rotharian'. Their hair is generally dark brown, but occasionally black, and their eyes typically are dark brown, but rarely hazel.

Standing
The Raiia hold the weakest standing among Rotharian society. They represent the most distant, and poor region of the Empire. The House has never held the title of Imperator, or Patriarch, and only one individual in the history of the line has ever held the title of Aerich.

Homeland
The Raiia are the latest addition to the line of Rotharian Nobility. Members of the Raiia represent the furthest western fringes of the Empire, including the Cities of Rosena and Pradus in the east, to Al-Mossan and Lorica in the west.

Sub-Families

 * Milonius
 * Vibius
 * Naevius

Physical Description
The Maiia are generally tall, with skin ranging from tanned to dark brown, Maiians posses a large variety of builds. Their hair is generally black, but occasionally brown. Their eyes are usually darker, but can rarely be blue.

Standing
The Maiia hold weak standing in the Empire over all, seeing how they represent a rather small section of the Empire. They have never held the title of Imperator, and have only held the titles of Patriarch and Aerich twice each.

Homeland
The Maiia represent the population of Rotharians from the Cities of Modica, and Firano, resting on the Rhonos river, flowing from Lake Nala, to the Sea of Souls in the north.

Sub-Families

 * Pinarius
 * Decius

Military
The Rotharian Military is among the largest military forces in the known world, sporting both the largest infantry force in Halas, in addition to the second largest naval fleet -- Behind only Hera. The Rotharian Military has taken a policy of Qunantity of Quality for general soldiers, and Quality over Quantity for Military officers, as exemplified by the rigorous standards of the Military Academy.

Army
The Rotharian Army is divided into Legions, consisting of 10,000 Soldiers, which further break down into Kaira of 1,000, Karna of 100, and Ira of 10. The entire Military is divided into this structure, with officers taking the ranks of Karne, Kairate, Strategos, and Aerich. The average enlisted soldier in the Rotharian Military serves in an 'Ira', a squad of 10 people. Each Ira elects and 'Senior Irian' to both lead, and represent the Ira to their Karne, who is in charge of 10 Ira. The role of the Karne is to keep his Ira in line, preventing retreat, and to requisition supplies for each Ira, ensuring that no organ of the army goes under supplied.

Higher Officers within the Rotharian Army, from the rank of Kairate and higher, are required to enroll in the Savoca Military Academy for officer training. The Military Academy is considered a highly prestigious school for anyone to attend, and unlike many universities in Rotharia, admittance is done on a strictly merit based application, family wealth or importance are not considered. Within the Military Academy, students (Called 'Scholarian') are required to enter into a group of 6 others, forming what is called an 'Academius'. The members of the Academius establish an internal hierarchy on their own, and submit it to the academy. The members of each Academius are considered to be 'bound by honor', and are expected to remain together for the remaining duration of their life -- An Academius may only disband through death.

Upon graduation, each Academius is placed into the Military based on their academic scoring, being given a rank ranging from Kaira, to Strategos. Only the lead of the Academius officially takes the role, while his comrades serve as support. The highest 4 Academius in the Academy are brought into an event called the 'Mock War' where they will establish the ranking for the top Academius. Each of these most senior Academius will receive the rank of 'Strategos', and be assigned an entire Legion to their service.

Navy
The Rotharian Navy is controlled from the top down by the 'Statten', who is in charge of directing the strategy of any naval theater, alongside managing the appointment of 'Kon Statten', who manage individual fleets. Kon Statten are typically given command of a specific 'Harborage', or a region which houses a fleet. Their responsibility is to appoint Captains, and ensure all vessels are maintained, and supplies, and that each harbor is capable to supporting the necessary number of vessels. The Kon Statten appoint Captains, called 'Het', or 'Leader'. The Het is tasked with commanding each vessel, and providing orders to its crew.

The Crew of each vessel can be broken down into Kon Kairen, and Kairen. Kairen are Low Naval Officers, whose responsibility is to ensure all crew work efficiently under the orders of the Het. Kon Kairen are the backbone of the navy -- The crew, whose job it is to fulfill the orders of the Het, and keep the vessel running smoothly.

Boats in the Rotharian Navy tend to be larger, designed for pitched battle in open seas -- Though a few river boats have been designed for sailing up and down the River Rhonos, to Lake Nala. Generally most Rotharian Vessels are equipped with cannons of a rather crude design. Despite their primitive design, the technology of cannons is still miles ahead of the weaponry used on most other nation's vessels, typically still relying on wooden projectiles, and boarding actions. In recent years, modifications of the cannon design have been floating around, which could allow vessels to employ large, long range cannons capable of bombarding vessels or cities from a great distance, though this technology is still in its early years.

Arts, Music, and Literature
It is expected of every Rotharian House to serve as a patron of the arts, providing funding for artists, musicians, and writers. The majority of art in Rotharia is commissioned by wealthy families, to sit in their private galleries. To the wealthy in Rotharian society, the art they collect is a symbol of their pride, of how much they are willing to support artists is an expression of how immense their excess wealth is.

As for literature, reading is a common pastime for many Rotharians. Unlike most of Halas, most Rotharians are literate, thanks to government education programs offered to poor children, and harsh requirements for workers in the Waterworks. As such, there exist many independent authors, who can sustain themselves without having to bow to the will of wealthy patrons. Additionally it is common for Nobles and Military Officers to write themselves, seeking the fame of having published a popular book. Typical subjects for such individuals to write in are Military Tactics, History, in addition to plays.

Symphonies, and Theater are growing arts in Rotharia, having only become popular in the last few decades. A few famous Rotharian Composers have risen in high society, such as the Latiian Composer Airan Haro, though the majority of symphonies in Rotharia are performed by musicians from either Hera, such as Benigno Gaetano, or Cartois, as is the case for the legendary composer Cyril Pichard.

Rotharian Cuisine
Food in Rotharia is heavily restricted by the arid climate, which has resulted in the cultivation of relatively little farmland, and a focus on the growth of calorie-dense foods. Rotharian cuisine has a heavy focus on vegetables, and fish. Among the poor populations, soups and stews made from boiled vegetables, and semi-clean water are commonly made as a way to provide both hydration, and nourishment. Generally among the poor, food and water are both heavily rationed due to the scarcity of fresh water in Rotharia, particularly in the Rotharian Sea Basin. Among the middle-classes, and the Military, some variety begins to open up in terms of food, with a larger variety of fish becoming available, mainly freshwater such as Salmon, caught in Lake Nala, in addition to some salted meats. The average Middle-Class Rotharian family can usually afford to eat rice at one meal a day, or bread twice a week. The Wealthy in Rotharia, however, have no limit to what they can consume.

Rice is the staple food most commonly eaten in Rotharia, as it is one of the few crops capable of growing in the tainted waters of the Rotharian Sea, but even with its versatility, it remains only common on the tables of the well to do.

Alcohol
Due to the scarcity of water, many Rotharians have resorted to Alcohol instead, as the process of fermentation can purify the murky waters of the Rotharian Sea. The most common Alcohol is 'Aezos', a strong, tasteless drink with high alcohol content. Aezos is cheap, usually being brewed from potatoes, or other tubers, an cheap water, collected directly from the Sea of Rotharia, or the urban networks of lakes.

The most common alcohol among the middle class (In addition to some parts of the upperclass) is 'Athos', the name for the Rotharian variety of Wine, typically grown along the coasts of Karsana, or near the cities of Triken, and Tria. Athos is typically to expensive for lower class Rotharians, who typically prefer the cheaper Aezos anyway, though a middle class family could afford a bottle of Athos regularly.

The most expensive drink, also the favorite of the wealthy, is 'Ithos', an expensive beverage made from the process of fermenting rice, along with some sweetener, usually sugar though sometimes honey can be substituted. Ithos is typically served warm, and has a light, sweet taste. Alcohol content varies, but Ithos typically is stronger than Athos, but weaker than Aezos.

Magic
The practice of magic in Rotharia has been outlaws for centuries, when Imperator Magnus Ais Gaeiia declared the practice of Magic illegal, in the wake of the Phage Crisis. Though this declaration was highly unpopular, and severely damaged the Rotharian Military, which had been built on the use of Magic, it ultimately spared Rotharia of the true devastation of the Phage Crisis.

Today, the use of magic still remains outlawed, and anyone witnessed using magic will be arrested, and tried for crimes against the Imperium, as well as for public endangerment, and recklessness. The sole exception of this lies in Military Officers of rank Kairate or higher, who have passed the first round of the Military Academy. Officers in the Rotharian Military are allowed to practice Military Magic, as they have been trained in the proper methods to avoid Mana Sickness.

Religion
See also: Religions of Rotharia

Rotharia officially has a state religion, in the 'New Orthodoxy', sometimes called 'The Rotharian Orthodoxy', and though Citizens are free to worship any faith related to the Orthodoxy, the various heresies are heavily discouraged, and outside faiths are outright banned. Regardless of this focus on a singular faith, Rotharia has grown to be a rather diverse nations in regards to religion, with 5 major faiths being practiced in the Imperium. In order of prominence:

New Orthodox
The New Orthodox is the official State Religion of Rotharia, and is its largest faith by practicing members. The New Orthodox faith believes in a cycle of life and rebirth through mana, and that the world is controled by two omniscient gods, Sola and Soma, representing the Sun and the Moon. The New Orthodoxy was formed by a desire of the Rotharians to create a more flexible religion than the Cult of Athus, which had been slowed by massive decentralization.

Imperial Cult
The Imperial Cult is the quickest growing faith in the Imperium, gaining popularity among the wealthy urban populations of the Imperium. The Imperial Cult, as its name suggests, believes the Imperator is the embodiment of the god Sola, and the Patriarch that of the god Soma.

Latiian Sect
The Latiian Sect is a rather new faith, born from the desire of the Latiian peoples to reform the New Orthodoxy to directly counter the growing influence of the Imperial Cult. Similar to how the New Orthodox sought to distance itself from the inflexibility of the Cult of Athus, the Latiian Sect desires to create a new faith, stronger and more flexible than the New Orthodox, as it was the old.

Cult of Athus
The Cult of Athus is the oldest religion in Rotharia, among the oldest in the world. Similar to the New Orthodoxy, which is a derivative faith of the Cult of Athus, the faith believes in the existence of a Sun god -- Athus. Unlike the Rotharian take on the religion, however, there is no Moon god. Instead the sun represent an angry Athus, venting his rage against the world, angry at the deserts and rocks which refuse to bear life -- Corrupting his most beautiful creation, the world, Agriia. In the night, however, Athus return to the world, to witness his creation, and instead he beholds to vast sea, lush with life, and laments his rage, instead bringing the cold solitude of winter in his retrospection.

Cities
Notable cities in Rotharia:

(In order of size:)

Savoca

Lattum

Karsana

Rociat

Dominius

Antiata

Firano

Rhonos

Modica

Navius

Rivalna

Rosena

Aera